halfwright... I was stopped recently for turning right on red (after a complete stop), which I believe is legal. What alarmed me about this stop was that after the police person returned from his car, he asked if I had my firearm on me. There is NOTHING on my DL that says I have a CCW, so I can only guess that they have some sort of link between the two when a DL is called in. It was one of the few times I was not carrying as I was going to a restricted area (School). If I had one of my weapons, I would have told him at the beginning of the stop. The point is that if I had been in the RV and had been asked, I would not lie about the guns I have on board. Just as I would not have them on board if I crossed into Canada.

As far as pulling a weapon, both times I did so because I feared for my Wife's and my lives. One time I was shooting a wedding just north of 8 mile in Detroit. We had to park on a side street as the Hall's lot was filled. Tow young men came toward us (which caused me to had the camera case to my wife) and pulled out their switch blades making the big show of opening them up near their faces. My answer to "wha you got in the case?" was to pull my weapon. And frankly that why I have a pump shotgun in the rv. Just the sound or racking that shell into the chamber is enough to scare anyone with sense,

As I am older and look much less able to defend my self now, I think the chance of having to draw my wepon is greater now then in the last 40 years

Both time I have pulled a gun, it had little effect, but when I cocked that hammer back the young men left the area.

Even better I just bought a snub nosed S&W 38 Special revolver with a lazer pointer. Do you think that someone who has a lazer pointed at him might consider leaving the area - pronto? With that gun the lazer is not really needed because you will be need to be real close to the target when you let a hollow point fly. Noticed that our local Walmart lot is heavily populated with semi trucks on the weekends. Then I figured out that is where the local drivers park when they are home for the weekend - but the trucks are empty. Usually have a few RVs in the lot during the warm months but not much crime of that nature in this area. The criminals are too busy making meth.

KC has both good areas and bad. I've lived here my whole life and there are some places I wouldn't hesitate staying over night and others I would'nt stay long in the daylight. A little discretion goes a long way.

I like the idea of paying the local campground owner $30.00 or more and help put his children to collage or help towards his retirement.

I can get a good nights sleep and ready for the next day......

Jim

I agree. I can't imagine why anyone would "camp" at WM when campgrounds are available, excepting lack of money, taking a quick nap before resuming travel or perhaps during a public emergency such as flooding.

For those who are simply too cheap to cough up for a campground site... I shake my head in disbelief. All that money for an RV, then settling for a diminished experience. LOL Silly as refusing to buy gas for the RV.

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And in all the years I have been reading this forum I have never once read of someone being attacked, raped, robbed or murdered in a Walmart parking lot.

The story in your link reminds me of the quote of a famous bank robber. "Why do you rob banks? Because that's where the money is." Same goes for Walmart. Thousands of stores, huge parking lots and despite lots of cameras crime does happen there. None of the stories in the link mentioned any bad things with people in RVs (not that I read anyway). The author is shilling his Security Strategies business and I distrust people who throw out as facts things they don't bother to source.

I think you missed the point, although your remark holds some truth. Dan was pointing out to Tom that his statement of he never read of anything bad happening in a Wallmart parking lot, does not hold water, as per incident.

We all make decisions in life, some good, and some bad. I personally do not think staying in a parking lot for a night is a good decision. I do not care who's lot you are staying in.

I do not own a gun, I believe guns should not be banned, I am not a LEO, but I know many. When in the service there were two types of fighters, the quick and the dead..my LEO friends and past military training said if you take out your weapon you use it to KILL. I read a lot of bravado Of how many guns they own or the sound it makes, but what it alls comes down too is are you ready to use it to kill?

If you do use it and you are wrong(somebody lost, drunk, or stupid) you will never have to stay in a Wallmart, the state will give you a place to live.

The story in your link reminds me of the quote of a famous bank robber. "Why do you rob banks? Because that's where the money is." Same goes for Walmart. Thousands of stores, huge parking lots and despite lots of cameras crime does happen there. None of the stories in the link mentioned any bad things with people in RVs (not that I read anyway). The author is shilling his Security Strategies business and I distrust people who throw out as facts things they don't bother to source.

Personally, I'm all for your staying in WM parking lots. Have fun. I'll be over in the nicely landscaped state, Federal or privately owned campground birdwatching and enjoying the company of other campers while you decide whether you should pull your gun on the suspicious pair in the car that parked too close to you. LOL

In my ten years of full timing I spent hundreds of nights overnighting in Walmart parking lots. Never once did I feel unsafe. Never once did I witness a crime. I did save thousands of dollars. I am still waiting for some kind of proof that Walmart parking lots are unsafe. I have never seen any statistics on crime in a Walmart parking lot.

I did have a big mean bruiser come after me in a campground in Arizona. I thought he was going to kill me because I yelled at his stupid pit bull running through my campsite. I feel safer in a Walmart parking lot. If the bruiser would have attacked me I would have had no witnesses, no security cameras, no security person to call. I would have been beat up with no recourse. No one would pull a stunt like that in a Walmart parking lot, and no one lets their pit bull run free in a Walmart parking lot.

Tom has a valid point. I don't recall hearing of an RV'er being murdered anywhere but a state or national park/forest/monument. I'm sure someone has, but I certainly can't remember hearing of anything happening in a Walmart or truckstop.

I am still waiting for some kind of proof that Walmart parking lots are unsafe. I have never seen any statistics on crime in a Walmart parking lot.

I thought he was going to kill me because I yelled at his stupid pit bull running through my campsite.

Yeah? And I want proof the pit bull was stupid.

One nice thing about WalMart campers is that they serve a purpose: WM parking lot and building security... for free. Keeps my shopping prices lower and frees up sites at my preferred campgrounds. Thanks for a service well-rendered.

Tom has a valid point. I don't recall hearing of an RV'er being murdered anywhere but a state or national park/forest/monument. I'm sure someone has, but I certainly can't remember hearing of anything happening in a Walmart or truckstop.

Google "camper shot" and you get pages of hits on Albuquerque police shoot homeless camper in back, FBI investigating. Anyone fulltiming without a S&B home is homeless, per federal definition!Now Google "RVer shot walmart" and you get pages of a Utah Walmart being sued by an RVer who had to shoot an intruder entering his RV. Facts are funny like that.

Not going to get personal here, but there are some members who just seem to lash out with sarcasm and rudeness to virtually any post to which they disagree. It almost seems like any RV'er who doesn't do things exactly like they do, is a moron worthy of contempt.

I've stayed in a few Walmart lots in my lifetime. No interesting stories to tell there. In my professional life, Walmart was a huge client, and I spent countless hours in the 142 stores in my territory. I don't think there is much crime against customers there because the risks (security cameras, witnesses, armed customers), far outweigh the potential gains. (Walmart customers are not generally the richest members of society). The exception in my experience seems to be in areas with a significant non-resident, non-documented, cash-paid labor force. These immigrants prey upon each other mercilessly, knowing they get paid in cash, and carry most of it in their wallet all the time.

One point I'd like to contribute: being 'cheap' is not the ONLY reason to try to save some money. Sure we dish out big money to buy into this game. But for some of us, unexpected repair bills, sudden medical bills, or just the increasing costs of fuel and campsites can put us into the position of having to find ways to stretch our recreation budget, or else we have to park it and sit home. I'll admit to being in that group. I enjoy my RV immensely, however my finances have not fared as well as I had anticipated when I purchased the rig. Saving money on fuel, stopping somewhere for a free night now and then, buying off-brand parts from the internet, any way I can save a buck, I'm going to do it. Don't appreciate being called cheap though. Would I like the luxury of always staying in a nicely landscaped state, Federal or privately owned campground every single night of every single trip? Sure I would! Would I want to be parked next to someone who thinks they are better than I am in every way because I spent the previous night at Walmart? No I would not.

Google "murdered camper" and most results are of people murdered in parks and such, the Albuquerque police shooting and apparently a Beatrice Camper is a murderess. Didn't see Walmart in the first three pages of results. With my quick unscientific study I have determined. You shouldn't camp in Albuquerque, or state and national parks Walmarts and CG's seem to be safe.

Personally, I'm all for your staying in WM parking lots. Have fun. I'll be over in the nicely landscaped state, Federal or privately owned campground birdwatching and enjoying the company of other campers while you decide whether you should pull your gun on the suspicious pair in the car that parked too close to you. LOL

Getting a bit personal aren't you? I only referred the link you posted and wanted to say that it really had nothing to do with RVs staying in WM lots, only how many crimes are committed in them. You must be from an area where all those beautiful state, federal and private campgrounds abound aplenty. In the places I have lived, it is easier to find a Walmart but I myself have never stayed in one (yet) but would not hesitate depending on location and a need to stop overnight. And yes, I do carry a gun but that is for another thread which has already been covered numerous times. It always ends with hard feelings seems.

Not going to get personal here, but there are some members who just seem to lash out with sarcasm and rudeness to virtually any post to which they disagree. It almost seems like any RV'er who doesn't do things exactly like they do, is a moron worthy of contempt.

I've stayed in a few Walmart lots in my lifetime. No interesting stories to tell there. In my professional life, Walmart was a huge client, and I spent countless hours in the 142 stores in my territory. I don't think there is much crime against customers there because the risks (security cameras, witnesses, armed customers), far outweigh the potential gains. (Walmart customers are not generally the richest members of society). The exception in my experience seems to be in areas with a significant non-resident, non-documented, cash-paid labor force. These immigrants prey upon each other mercilessly, knowing they get paid in cash, and carry most of it in their wallet all the time.

One point I'd like to contribute: being 'cheap' is not the ONLY reason to try to save some money. Sure we dish out big money to buy into this game. But for some of us, unexpected repair bills, sudden medical bills, or just the increasing costs of fuel and campsites can put us into the position of having to find ways to stretch our recreation budget, or else we have to park it and sit home. I'll admit to being in that group. I enjoy my RV immensely, however my finances have not fared as well as I had anticipated when I purchased the rig. Saving money on fuel, stopping somewhere for a free night now and then, buying off-brand parts from the internet, any way I can save a buck, I'm going to do it. Don't appreciate being called cheap though. Would I like the luxury of always staying in a nicely landscaped state, Federal or privately owned campground every single night of every single trip? Sure I would! Would I want to be parked next to someone who thinks they are better than I am in every way because I spent the previous night at Walmart? No I would not.

Most Walmarts in the Bakken (western ND) prohibit overnight parking by RVs because the extreme housing shortage resulted in their parking lots turning into full fledged campgrounds 24/7. It was completely understandable they had to prohibit overnighting. Man you surely can come up with better examples - give it another try.

For those who are simply too cheap to cough up for a campground site... I shake my head in disbelief. All that money for an RV, then settling for a diminished experience. LOL Silly as refusing to buy gas for the RV.

Dan,You're really painting an unrealistic picture.I can't speak for anyone else, but I presume the majority of us use Walmart 'en-route' to our destinations. i.e. a place to purchase needed supplies and sleep for the night before moving on to where we're actually going. I find this no more of a "diminished" experience than paying $30+ for a private site I will not hook up to, nor utilize amenities, nor stroll their beautiful surroundings. If you think of it as park, eat, sleep, move-on, you might realize that is unwise to spend money foolishly.Also, have you ever tried to get a reservation at a private campground on the weekend for a one-nighter? If you can get in, they'll put you in a spot aesthetically not much different than a Walmart; the primary difference being crushed gravel rather than blacktop. So much for the experience.As to the other issue... unsupported Walmart parking lot killings ... sounds a bit strawman to me.

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2004 Itasca Suncruiser 37B

"Every hobby perpetuates its arcane mysteries. How else would we impress the newbies with our superior knowledge?"--Gary RV Roamer--

I agree. I can't imagine why anyone would "camp" at WM when campgrounds are available, excepting lack of money, taking a quick nap before resuming travel or perhaps during a public emergency such as flooding.

Security at many campgrounds is an illusion,, At Wal*mart at least there is no illusion thus you are safer.

That said. I can tell you why overnighting at a W/M or other big lot as opposed to a campground..

It is there... Not 10 miles off on side roads but right there, 100 yards from the freeway exit. (or close to it)

If I have driven say 400 miles, and I am starting to get tired, and there is that big blue and whatever color sign (I am partially color blind and have very poor color memory) I'm going to park.. That simple.. long as I am not in NE that is.

Would I rather park in a Campground with full hookup or at least 30 amps.. YES, but, I don't know where the CG is, and I can see that big sign.

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Nothing adds excitement like something that is none of your businessMy Home is where I park it.

Dear Carson. Since he was responding (and quoted) a different post, why does his story need to have ANYTHING to do with your post?

But what do I know, I'm a worthless "freeloader". Believe it or not, in over 45 years of different types of camping, I have NEVER EVEN ONCE paid for a campsite. No way those greedy leaches are making their blood money from me!

But seriously, don't you think that even those of us who stretch our budget with the occasional free stopover, still spend plenty of money on the "real" campgrounds and parks? I mean really... FREELOADERS???

Carson we have averaged over $40.00 a night with several $50.00 in there since leaving AZ the 29th of June so I think I can escape your freeloader description but when on the road a convenient WM, or better yet Cabelas, is a welcome quick stop for the night.

Like others here, the more we save on our overnight costs, the more nights we can be out in the RV. Our average for the last 5 years is less than $5/night so I guess we're "freeloaders." Of course, we boondock a lot, not in parking lots, so does that qualify us as "freeloaders"? And can I add the $$$$ we spend in stores and restaurants when we park for "free" in their parking lots when calculating our per night cost of camping? For sure, we not helping any campgrounds or businesses if the RV is sitting in the backyard.